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timber formwork for concrete steps

  • 09-05-2012 03:29PM
    #1
    Espoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 228 ✭✭


    Hi all
    A few questions for ya on building entrance steps
    I'm goin to go and make up some timber formwork to pour concrete steps at patio door, front, and rear entrance. I want about 7 or 8 inches fall for each of 2 steps. Whats the best size of timber to get for this. I mean whats the standard. If the standard is say 7x2 then best I go with 7 inch rise. Anyway 8 inch might be a bit much? as in too high?
    What do I get to brush on to timber so concrete doesen't stick to it? I heard cooking oil mentioned by someone? Does this really work?
    Cheers


Comments

  • #2
    ART6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,629 ✭✭✭ART6


    Espoo wrote: »
    Hi all
    A few questions for ya on building entrance steps
    I'm goin to go and make up some timber formwork to pour concrete steps at patio door, front, and rear entrance. I want about 7 or 8 inches fall for each of 2 steps. Whats the best size of timber to get for this. I mean whats the standard. If the standard is say 7x2 then best I go with 7 inch rise. Anyway 8 inch might be a bit much? as in too high?
    What do I get to brush on to timber so concrete doesen't stick to it? I heard cooking oil mentioned by someone? Does this really work?
    Cheers

    Any time I have done this sort of thing at home I have made the formers out of 9 mm ply, cutting strips to the rise that I wanted. The most I have ever done to stop the concrete sticking is to slap on a coat of varnish, although even without it I have not experienced and stiction problems. It's just that the varnish seems to give a better finish.


  • #3
    Espoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 228 ✭✭Espoo


    ART6
    Thanks for that. Of course ply would be ideal. Its fairly strong too if
    I support it with plenty of rebar. And its cheap. How much is a 8 x 4 ft sheet?
    Good idea with the varnish
    So I'll get all my formwork in place and get some ready mix. Did you leave it to set for about 4-5 hours before removing the ply and rounding off the steps?

    Espoo


  • #4
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,824 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Cooking oil,grease,varnish or fibreglass mould releasing agent will all work fine.

    12-15mm ply and a few 2 x 1 or 2 x 2 wooden stakes will do the job for formwork.

    8 x 4 sheet of ply is around 20 euro from a builders provides.


  • #5
    Espoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 228 ✭✭Espoo


    Thanks Paddy
    I should be able to manage.
    nice pic


  • #6
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,824 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Espoo wrote: »
    Thanks Paddy
    I should be able to manage.
    nice pic

    Thanks.:D


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